Seven on the trot for unstoppable Port

NOVEMBER 5 was not just a day to remember for Southport, it is one that will also go down in the record books.

The Sandgrounders’ form on the road this season has been nothing short of incredible, and their achievements in recent months are such that Saturday’s win at Nene Park equalled a sequence dating back more than 50 years.

Not since the 1955/56 campaign in Division Three North have Southport put together a run of seven straight away victories, yet picking up points on their travels seems to be second nature for Liam Watson’s side at present.

The Sandgrounders’ recent run has featured some fine performances, but if a mark of a successful team is to win when the result could easily have been different, then Southport will be particularly pleased at edging past Kettering Town to record their latest victory.

Despite dominating the opening exchanges, it was not until Tony Gray struck in the 88th minute that Southport sealed the points, having finished strongly after surrendering a two-goal half-time lead.

Scoring twice to extend his tally for the season to nine, Gray claimed the winning goal with a 25-yard free-kick that was deflected in off the last man of the Kettering wall.

Southport’s account was opened on 18 minutes by Simon Grand, who headed in a corner from Shaun Whalley after Gray’s low drive had been turned around the post by goalkeeper Laurie Walker.

And soon it was two, Gray converting the Sandgrounders’ first penalty of the season after Whalley had received a superb cross-field pass from Zac Aley before being taken out by Moses Swaibu.

But Kiernan Hughes-Mason halved the deficit before Ashikodi levelled with 13 minutes to go.

However, it was left to Gray with two minutes remaining to ensure the Port opened a new chapter in the history books.